I feel nauseated. Still. It’s been a week. And I still feel like someone kicked me in the 8@11$.
The press has been calling and emailing and they all have the same question:
What does the Vikings loss do to your stadium efforts?
I had a feeling this might happen. I have been asking myself the same thing. I keep thinking this over and over and then I come back to the loss. I want to throw up. Still can’t believe it. Damn ’98 curse. This is what it’s like to be a Cubs fan, or once upon a time, a Red Sox fan. I’m trying desperately to get back on track…
What does the Vikings loss do to your stadium efforts?
Problem is, I couldn’t just watch the game like the rest of the state. The path of least resistance is led through Miami. Had the Vikings won the Super Bowl, it would make the stadium effort easier. Super Bowl parades, national spotlight, bandwagon fans all aboard.
So what DOES the Vikings loss do to the stadium efforts?
Winning or losing, the facts remain the same. 18,000 contract opportunities and jobs created. 1.3 billion dollar economic output for the state. 34-45 million in annual direct tax revenue for the state. A new stadium would still bring a Super Bowl here to Minnesota, NCAA Final Four, and 200 other events annually.
Starting next year, the Vikings may lose their NFL subsidy which is a loss of millions of dollars. The Vikings again this year were ranked 31 out of 32 teams in terms of profitability. That means Zygi Wilf is spending more money with less return than any other owner. He is having amazing results.
We'd love to have you back for the 2010-2011 season Brett. I'll even pick you up at the airport in my black SUV! Photo Courtesy: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Lester Bagley once said Brett Favre is our best lobbyist. I doubt he would have returned had he won the Super Bowl. This greatly increases his chances of returning next year. THAT is good for the stadium effort.
This loss does nothing to hurt our stadium efforts, but the win would have helped. And like me, the rest of the state will shrug it off after a few weeks and get back to the stadium push just in time for the opening of the 2010 legislative session.
Win, lose or draw, those things don’t change. Win, lose or draw I still love the Minnesota Vikings and want them to remain here. Since 2006 the Vikings have won 2 more games than the previous season and penetrated deeper into the playoffs. I expect great things in 2010-2011 both on and off the field.
Founder, funder and superfan of the Minnesota Vikings and SavetheVikes.org. Born and raised in MN, Cory has been a lifelong Vikings fan. Season ticket holder, stop by and see him in section 218! cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org 
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At my local precinct caucus this evening a resolution was proposed to not allow public funding for a new stadium. Thankfully the resolution was not approved. It was a narrow margin but if the rest of the state follows it means half the state of Minnesota is for it. It takes less than half the state to fill a stadium. The writer of the resolution brought up some good points, namely the state of our economy. Pohlad got a stadium with less money down than Mr Wilf is planning on spending. The U got a stadium. The Vikings are the most popular team in Minnesota, we should get a new stadium.
Consider the loss of revenue, loss of jobs, (etc) that would happen if we lose the Vikings. The economic issues facing us are important but I should not have to give up my hobbies.
Thanks for posting Jean! We need Vikings fans to step up this election year and let their voices heard!
Great article Cory, I was at the game in N.O and have felt like someone has kicked me in the stomach over and over again since. That being said now is the most important time to ratchet up every email we can muster and get this thing done in 2010. TPaw has even recognized the importance of the Vikings and semi endorsed using a state lottery to fund the stadium, I use semi endorsed loosely because TPaw has no backbone and wont ink his name to any good stadium ideas. At least he is throwing some ideas out there though, lets flood the capital with emails and calls this month they cant ignore us all.